HEEL IN A TURN

Q1 - Explain why a vessel will heel when turning. (6 or 7)

As a vessel turns, a centripetal force acts inwards towards the centre of the turn,
approximately through the centre of buoyancy of the vessel. Furthmore, an equal
and opposite force called the centrifugal force acts at and through the centre of
gravity, out of the turn. This creates a couple which generates a heeling moment
out of the turn.

Q2 - During a sea passage a vessel develops an angle of loll; show the effect of an
alteration of course involving a significant rate of turn on the vessel’s statical
stability diagram (8). Describe how this effect could be minimised, other than
through improving the GM (6).
‘Curves of statical stability (GZ curves) do not account for heeling forces; however,
a heeling leaver curve can be superimposed over a righting leaver curve to
determine the combined heel and loll angle.’

Heel angle in a turn is a function of a ship’s speed squared, and of turn radius. The
heeling angle can be reduced by increasing the radius of turn and by reducing the
speed of turn.